US Income Percentile Calculator
Find your US income percentile ranking based on annual pre-tax income. See your rank among American earners from 10th to 99th percentile with census data.
About This Calculator
The US Income Percentile Calculator compares your annual pre-tax individual income against national distribution data to show where you rank among all American earners. Whether you are curious about your standing relative to peers or planning your financial future, this tool provides a clear percentile bracket from the 10th to the 99th percentile.
Our thresholds are based on 2025 Census Bureau and Economic Policy Institute data from the Current Population Survey (IPUMS CPS), the same source used by labor economists and government agencies to track wage trends across the country. The calculator uses seven income thresholds ($15,000 for the 10th percentile, $30,000 for the 25th, $53,000 for the 50th/median, $90,000 for the 75th, $155,000 for the 90th, $210,000 for the 95th, and $450,000 for the 99th) to determine which bracket your income falls into. A comparison chart and detailed breakdown table show how your income relates to each threshold visually.
Income percentiles offer a useful benchmark for salary negotiations, career planning, and financial goal setting. Knowing your percentile can help you understand whether you are keeping pace with national wage growth and identify opportunities to advance into higher brackets through additional education, certification, or career moves.
It is important to note that these figures represent individual pre-tax income from wages, salaries, and self-employment. They do not include investment income, government transfers, or non-cash benefits. Cost of living varies significantly across US regions — an income of $90,000 in the Midwest goes much further than the same income in Manhattan or San Francisco. For a more complete picture of your financial standing, consider pairing this tool with our net worth or buying power calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median individual income in the US?
The median individual income in the US is approximately $53,000 per year, meaning half of all American workers earn less than this amount and half earn more. For household income, the median is higher at around $75,000 because many households have multiple earners.
What income is considered top 10% in the US?
The top 10% income threshold is approximately $155,000 in annual pre-tax individual income. To be in the top 10% of households, the threshold is higher at around $190,000 due to dual-income households.
What income is needed to be in the top 1% in the US?
To be in the top 1% of US earners, you need an annual income of approximately $450,000 or more. This threshold varies significantly by state, with higher thresholds in New York, California, and Massachusetts, and lower thresholds in the Midwest and South.
How does education level affect income percentiles?
Education has a strong correlation with income percentiles. Workers with a bachelor's degree earn a median of about $65,000, placing them near the 60th percentile. Those with professional or doctoral degrees often reach the 80th-90th percentile, while workers without a high school diploma typically fall below the 25th percentile.
How does age affect income percentile ranking?
Income typically rises with age until peaking in the 45-54 age range. A 25-year-old earning $53,000 may be in the 70th percentile for their age group, while the same income for a 50-year-old would be near the 40th percentile. Retirement-age individuals (65+) usually see lower income as they transition from wages to Social Security and pensions.
What is the difference between individual and household income percentiles?
Individual income percentiles measure the earnings of a single person, while household income percentiles combine the income of all earners living in the same home. A household at the 50th percentile earns about $75,000 (often from two earners), whereas an individual at the 50th percentile earns about $53,000 from one job.
How does cost of living affect my income percentile ranking?
Cost of living varies dramatically across the US. An income of $100,000 in San Francisco or Manhattan has less purchasing power than $70,000 in Dallas or Atlanta. Adjusting for cost of living, a $70,000 salary in a low-cost city may effectively rank higher in purchasing power than a $100,000 salary in an expensive metro area.
Are these income percentile thresholds adjusted for inflation?
These thresholds are based on recent Census Bureau and Economic Policy Institute data and are not dynamically inflation-adjusted. As wages and inflation rise, the dollar thresholds for each percentile increase over time. The thresholds shown here are current estimates for 2025.